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Vertebral fractures resulting from osteoporosis

Cause
Osteoporosis generally affects the elderly, postmenopausal women, or patients with certain illnesses or those who have been using specific medicines for a long period. Spinal fractures often occur from low-energy trauma, like falls or heavy lifting, due to this weakened bone condition.
  • Back pain
  • Discomfort during back movement
  • Hunchback (kyphotic deformity)
  • Numbness/weakness (if the nerves or spinal cord are compressed) 
  • Plain X-ray at the painful area: to determine the presence of spinal fractures. 
  • Bone mineral density (BMD) test: to assess bone density and confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis.
  • Computerized tomography (CT scan): used in some cases to comprehensively understand the fracture structure. 
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): used in certain patients to identify whether a vertebral collapse is a recent fracture or to investigate symptoms of nerve or spinal cord compression.
  • Treatment is based on the extent of the vertebral fracture.
    • Medication
    • Brace 
    • Surgical treatment 
  • Cement augmentation (kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty): a treatment method involving the injection of cement into the collapsed vertebrae 
  • Spinal instrumentation and fixation

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